The Bengals Greatest Player Ever

[Jason]

I think as of right now we would all agree that Anthony Munoz is still the greatest Bengals player ever. But....

 

I think both Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase could eventually surpass him.

 

What would they have to do to do that?  Is that something they can achieve while still active players, or will it only be acknowledged after they are elected to the Hall?

 

I often see questions on social media who is "your team's"/the Bengals greatest player.  And my response is always Anthony Munoz for now, but Joe Burrow is coming on fast.  Today I added Ja'Marr.  

 

Thoughts?

[T-Dub]

The only thing keeping Burrow off that list would be injuries.  He needs to have at least 3-4 healthy seasons in a row.  It may not be his fault but playing every other year isn't all time greatness.

[Jason]

1 minute ago, T-Dub said:

The only thing keeping Burrow off that list would be injuries.  He needs to have at least 3-4 healthy seasons in a row.  It may not be his fault but playing every other year isn't all time greatness.

Does he have to win a Super Bowl?

If he doesn't "have to" would it cement it if he did?

[T-Dub]

2 minutes ago, Jason said:

Does he have to win a Super Bowl?

If he doesn't "have to" would it cement it if he did?

 

Not really, he could be this generation's Marino. But not if he's on IR half his career.

[esjbh2]

21 minutes ago, Jason said:

Does he have to win a Super Bowl?

If he doesn't "have to" would it cement it if he did?

I'd say he doesn't have to, but if it did happen and he was the main reason or one of the main reasons, then I'd say yes without question.

 

I've been a Bengals fan a long time, have seen alot of players over the years, and do feel that Burrow and Chase are truly special...generational.

 

From a different perspective, and I know I'm being contrary to above, but I do question whether I'd call a player the greatest Bengal of all-time if he was still playing...not saying it couldn't happen, but it just feels different.

 

[|High School Harry|]

2 hours ago, Jason said:

I think as of right now we would all agree that Anthony Munoz is still the greatest Bengals player ever. But....

 

I think both Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase could eventually surpass him.

 

What would they have to do to do that?  Is that something they can achieve while still active players, or will it only be acknowledged after they are elected to the Hall?

 

I often see questions on social media who is "your team's"/the Bengals greatest player.  And my response is always Anthony Munoz for now, but Joe Burrow is coming on fast.  Today I added Ja'Marr.  

 

Thoughts?

I think you are right.

[sparky151]

At this point, with only 2 Hall of Fame players, Munoz is the right choice. If Burrow leads us to a Super Bowl win and joins Anthony and Ken in the HOF, then he'd certainly have a fair claim to make.

 

[-GoBengals-]

these are so tough. its always similar to the GOAT debate in the NBA (sorry for all the NBA references its playoff time and its dead season in the nfl) its just a matter of what you value as a fan.

 

longevity, rank at their position, stats, accolades, etc.. what is weighted the most for you?

 

first two easy to say Munoz. what about most skilled player period? Chase? Chad? Palmer? Burrow?

 

What guys are deluted down based on teammates? TJ and Chad were phenomenal, both did NOTHING, i mean NOTHING without palmer. i also feel Chase and Tee would fair far worse without Joe, how many unreal passes or reads or placement led to the huge plays those two made? and how many insane catches led to Joe stats? 

 

lastly, the generational change.

 

Marvin Lewis + Carson Palmer is the biggest shift in bengals culture, winning and franchise respect in history without a doubt. The Final resumes arent as impressive as you would like.

 

For me its something like:

 

1. Munoz

2. Burrow

3. Chase

4. Palmer

5. Chad

6. Atkins (ad accept him as high at 4th)

6b. Dillon

7. Green

8. Random guy from before my time

etc.

 

[UncleEarl]

It's Munoz and it isn't close.  He's considered by many to be the best OT of all time. 

 

Could Burrow or Chase surpass him?  Sure.  So could someone drafted this month.  Any of them would have to go a long way to surpass Munoz. 

[|High School Harry|]

On 4/15/2025 at 1:45 AM, GoBengals said:

these are so tough. its always similar to the GOAT debate in the NBA (sorry for all the NBA references its playoff time and its dead season in the nfl) its just a matter of what you value as a fan.

 

longevity, rank at their position, stats, accolades, etc.. what is weighted the most for you?

 

first two easy to say Munoz. what about most skilled player period? Chase? Chad? Palmer? Burrow?

 

What guys are deluted down based on teammates? TJ and Chad were phenomenal, both did NOTHING, i mean NOTHING without palmer. i also feel Chase and Tee would fair far worse without Joe, how many unreal passes or reads or placement led to the huge plays those two made? and how many insane catches led to Joe stats? 

 

lastly, the generational change.

 

Marvin Lewis + Carson Palmer is the biggest shift in bengals culture, winning and franchise respect in history without a doubt. The Final resumes arent as impressive as you would like.

 

For me its something like:

 

1. Munoz

2. Burrow

3. Chase

4. Palmer

5. Chad

6. Atkins (ad accept him as high at 4th)

6b. Dillon

7. Green

8. Random guy from before my time

etc.

 

Isaac Curtis

as in, add him to your list.

[-GoBengals-]

On 4/16/2025 at 10:45 AM, High School Harry said:

Isaac Curtis

as in, add him to your list.

 

he stopped playing when i was 3. so he is never on my mind, I have a signed football i won on nfl auctions for like $40...

 

[|High School Harry|]

9 minutes ago, GoBengals said:

 

he stopped playing when i was 3. so he is never on my mind, I have a signed football i won on nfl auctions for like $40...

 

Wasn't criticizing but adding to your list.

Isaac was the ultimate cool and so modest and understated

he sometimes gets overlooked.

 

[Jason]

1 hour ago, High School Harry said:

Wasn't criticizing but adding to your list.

Isaac was the ultimate cool and so modest and understated

he sometimes gets overlooked.

 

Indeed

[sparky151]

Curtis was a very good player in his day but certainly isn't the team's greatest player ever. There'd be arguments about where he ranks among Bengals receivers. 

[T-Dub]

LMAO if Carson Palmer is on that list so is Andy Dalton. 

 

[|BlackJesus|]

When it's all said and done Burrow and Chase will both be in the Hall of Fame, be Super Bowl Champs, and be seen as the greatest Bengals ever, a 1a and 1b, and it won't even be close. 

 

Munoz is ahead of both of them now on a duration technicality. 

[Randle P McMurphy]

Munoz for sure and someone who may be an afterthought since he wasn't drafted by the team is, in my opinion anyways,  James Brooks. 

[Jason]

14 hours ago, sparky151 said:

Curtis was a very good player in his day but certainly isn't the team's greatest player ever. There'd be arguments about where he ranks among Bengals receivers. 

From a pure talent standpoint I have him at 3 or 3a.

[sparky151]

2 hours ago, Jason said:

From a pure talent standpoint I have him at 3 or 3a.

 

Among Bengals receivers? It seems to me that Chad, AJ, Ja'Marr would be ahead of him and Pickens could make an argument. 

[Jason]

2 hours ago, sparky151 said:

 

Among Bengals receivers? It seems to me that Chad, AJ, Ja'Marr would be ahead of him and Pickens could make an argument. 

Ja'Marr

AJ

Isaac/Chad

[Bleeds Orange]

On 4/16/2025 at 12:25 PM, UncleEarl said:

It's Munoz and it isn't close.  He's considered by many to be the best OT of all time. 

 

Could Burrow or Chase surpass him?  Sure.  So could someone drafted this month.  Any of them would have to go a long way to surpass Munoz. 

 

This was my thought. Munoz was one of only three OT named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. (He was one of seven OT on the 100th Anniversary Team, so not quite as exclusive.) Will Burrow or Chase ever be considered one of the three best, if not THE VERY best, at their positions? 

[|High School Harry|]

Perhaps change the name of the thread to

The Bengals Second Greatest Player Ever

or

The Bengals Greatest Player Ever After Anthony Munoz.

[claptonrocks]

11 hours ago, Bleeds Orange said:

 

This was my thought. Munoz was one of only three OT named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. (He was one of seven OT on the 100th Anniversary Team, so not quite as exclusive.) Will Burrow or Chase ever be considered one of the three best, if not THE VERY best, at their positions? 

We hope so..😊

[snarkster]

Maybe not THE Greatest, but I'm listing  JB because I loved watching him so much and he deserves a mention.

 

 

 

[LostInDaJungle]

On 4/18/2025 at 11:42 AM, sparky151 said:

 

Among Bengals receivers? It seems to me that Chad, AJ, Ja'Marr would be ahead of him and Pickens could make an argument. 

Add in Chris Collinsworth, Carl Pickens, and TJ before you get to Curtis in my mind. And an argument could be made for Tyler Boyd being slotted in there somewhere.

I mentioned in another thread that it's just plain disgraceful to have Bengals fans wanting to ignore Andy Dalton for Carson.

AI, help a brother out here:
 

Quote

 

Andy Dalton and Carson Palmer both played for the Cincinnati Bengals, but Dalton has been considered the better quarterback in recent years.

• Career Stats: Dalton has thrown for 25,534 yards, 167 touchdowns, and 93 interceptions with a completion percentage of 62.3. Palmer threw for 22,694 yards, 154 touchdowns, and 100 interceptions with a completion percentage of 62.33%.
• Performance: Dalton has had more game-winning drives (20) and fourth-quarter comebacks (17) compared to Palmer's 10 and 8, respectively.
• Mobility: Dalton is known for his mobility, with 22 rushing touchdowns, while Palmer was less mobile, rushing 249 times for only 149 yards.
• Media Bias: Dalton has been criticized for his performance in night games, but he has a significant advantage in rushing yards and touchdowns

 

Take away the fact that Carson was an entitled quitter who went on to an extremely mediocre career after he left the Bengals - based on pure stats alone, Andy Dalton was the better QB. Better TD/INT ratio. Better in the 4th quarter. More dangerous with his feet.

Andy Dalton deserved better fans. Because at the very least, he was comparable, if not better. He led us to more postseason games, and did so with a much weaker supporting cast. But the media didn't slob his knob and compare him to Peyton Manning because he was a second round pick.

Was Carson a better athlete? Maybe, but that just means Dalton accomplished the same career with less talent to start with. Doesn't that count for something? Dalton most definitely has the stronger mental makeup.

And Palmer was so amazing that we forgot Boomer and Kenny?? God damn.